Trombonist Bennie Green's Blue Note albums were almost completely overlooked until this Mosaic Select compilation appeared in 2003. The first session, originally issued as Back on the Scene, features Charlie Rouse joining Green in the front line. Green's up-tempo "Bennie Plays the Blues" is the best blowing vehicle, while he and Rouse both contribute lyrical solos in Melba Liston's "Melba's Mood." Pianist Gildo Mahones wrote three of the six tracks recorded for Walkin' & Talkin', with Eddy Williams taking Rouse's place.
A great pairing of sides by two of the fifties greatest trombone acts! JJ Johnson and Kai Winding are on one side, with a boppish set of tunes, and Bennie Green's on the other, with a tight string ensemble. The music holds little surprises, but there's some nice takes on standards and of course, loads of great trombone.
It's evident from the opening pair of Latin-flavored performances that Back on the Scene is one of Bennie Green's most diverse efforts. Green's warm, supple tone and fondness for swinging, bop-influenced mainstream jazz and jump blues hasn't disappeared; he's just found new facets in his style. The infectious Latin rhythms on Cole Porter's "I Love You" and "Melba's Mood" are welcome, as is "You're Mine You," which showcases Green's sensitive ballad style. Reviving the standard "Just Friends" emphasizes the trombonist's ties to big band and bop, particularly through tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse's strong solos. The jumping "Bennie Plays the Blues" and "Green Street" are also terrific, finding Green, Rouse and pianist Joe Knight trading full-bodied solos. Even with this vast array of styles, Back on the Scene retains all the good-natured spirit and humor of his earlier Prestige albums.
Re-released in 1995, Bennie Green's album "Glidin' Along" was originally recorded in 1961 and produced by Orrin Keepnews better known for his work at Riverside Records. Bennie is supported by Johnny Griffin, tenor, Junior Mance, piano, Ben Riley on drums and either Paul Chambers or Larry Gales on bass. Bennie - now known as Benny - Green is by no means as well-known as his contemporaries, J.J Johnson and Curtis Fuller, but he has a distinctive tone and style which, although capable of functioning in a hard bop setting, is reminiscent of some the earlier work of the swing players. The choice of numbers favours originals including two by Green himself but also features a very pretty version of "Stardust".